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Oprah surprises audience with Australia trip giveaway

September 13, 2010 | 6:26
pm

To kick off her final season on network TV, Oprah Winfrey on Monday aimed to top, well, Oprah Winfrey in the over-the-top department, surprising members of her audience with a gift to rival her car giveaway six years ago: eight days and seven nights in Sydney, Australia.

The audience included what the show called some of its most loyal viewers. The trip, planned for December, will include the taping of two shows overseas, a first for "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which for 25 years has kept it domestic.

Also appearing on the season-opening show: John Travolta, in pilot garb; Don Johnson, making up for a 1986 snub; and Paul Simon, who surprised the hostess with a serenade.

Want to see audience members losing their minds as Oprah builds up to the big Australia reveal? Check out the video here.

-- Christie D'Zurilla

The Associated Press was used in compiling this report.

Photo: Oprah Winfrey, top, stands with audience members after making the announcement that she will be taking the Sept. 13, 2010, studio audience on a trip to Australia. Credit: George Burns / Harpo Productions